THE BUSINESSMAN'S TORAH
Vayeitzei
When her sixth and last son was born, Leah declares “Now my husband will make his fixed dwelling with me”. Playing on the word dwelling יזבלני, which Rashi and the Targum connect to the word זבול (abode), she names him Zevulun.
The name of a child is connected to their essential character. What was Zevulun’s uniqueness that he would be able to affect Yaakov so powerfully that now he would be bound to Leah?
In both Yaakov and Moshe’s blessings to the Tribes, Zevulun is blessed with financial success in trade and commerce. Zevulun represents the businessman, in contrast to Yissachar who were the scholars engaged in full time Torah study.
Yaakov’s entire being was one of Torah. He was the איש תם יושב אוהלים. So why would it be the birth of Zevulun that would impact Yaakov so greatly?
Some explain that Yaakov’s connection to Zevulun would be due to their merit of supporting those who study Torah.
The tribe of Zevulun forged a partnership with their brother Yissachar. Yissachar would study Torah full time, serving as teachers as judges for the Jewish people. Zevulun would support Yissachar so that they could focus on their learning without worry.
Our sages praised this arrangement and promise that those who support Torah scholars will enjoy a share in the reward for Torah study, inheriting a portion of “two tables”; wealth in this world and spiritual reward in the World to Come.
But even still, Yaakov was the embodiment of the study of Torah, not merely the support of Torah learning. Yaakov’s deep connection to Zevulun must be connected to the study of Torah itself.
Every Jewish man is obligated to learn Torah each day. The Yoshev Ohel must learn all day and the businessman must have his fixed times each morning and evening to learn Torah.
On Shabbos, when we are free from work responsibilities, the working man becomes like the Yoshev Ohel. In Tanya, the Alter Rebbe writes that on Shabbos and Yomtov, when businessmen have the time to be able to daven at length and with Kavanah, they have an even greater obligation to do so. The same applies to learning Torah.
This is not just because during the week they were unable to and on Shabbos they now can. Rather it is because the Torah and the Avodas Hatefillah of the working man - both during the limited hours of the week and certainly on Shabbos - has a far greater quality than that of the Yoshev Ohel.
What is this unique quality?
The working man; who is immersed in the business world for most of the day, whose mind is preoccupied with his business dealings, who comes home exhausted, has to push himself to attend his nightly shiur or chavrusa. The Yoshev Ohel does not face such an inner struggle or effort in his learning.
A story. One year after Rosh Hashona, the Taddik, Reb Yisroel of Ruzhin told his Chassidim that he could tell what they had davened for in their prayers and what was the answer in the Heavenly court.
One Chassid took the opportunity. The Ruzhiner said that the Chossid had davened to become wealthy so that he would be free to sit and learn Torah all day.
The Chossid had indeed davened for this and he awaited with anticipation to hear the response from on High.
His request was denied. The Ruzhiner explained to the Chossid that Hashem receives more pleasure from the hour that he learns each night after a tiring day of work, then if he would be learning Torah all day.
This is why Zevulun was able to impact Yaakov so deeply. Yaakov admired and envied Zevulun’s Torah study and their sacrifice for and devotion to learning.
After a day at the office, when a working man comes to the Beis Medrash for a shiur or chavrusa; When he opens a sefer to learn on Shabbos, Yaakov - the epitome of Torah - has nachas. And Hashem has nachas too.
The name of a child is connected to their essential character. What was Zevulun’s uniqueness that he would be able to affect Yaakov so powerfully that now he would be bound to Leah?
In both Yaakov and Moshe’s blessings to the Tribes, Zevulun is blessed with financial success in trade and commerce. Zevulun represents the businessman, in contrast to Yissachar who were the scholars engaged in full time Torah study.
Yaakov’s entire being was one of Torah. He was the איש תם יושב אוהלים. So why would it be the birth of Zevulun that would impact Yaakov so greatly?
Some explain that Yaakov’s connection to Zevulun would be due to their merit of supporting those who study Torah.
The tribe of Zevulun forged a partnership with their brother Yissachar. Yissachar would study Torah full time, serving as teachers as judges for the Jewish people. Zevulun would support Yissachar so that they could focus on their learning without worry.
Our sages praised this arrangement and promise that those who support Torah scholars will enjoy a share in the reward for Torah study, inheriting a portion of “two tables”; wealth in this world and spiritual reward in the World to Come.
But even still, Yaakov was the embodiment of the study of Torah, not merely the support of Torah learning. Yaakov’s deep connection to Zevulun must be connected to the study of Torah itself.
Every Jewish man is obligated to learn Torah each day. The Yoshev Ohel must learn all day and the businessman must have his fixed times each morning and evening to learn Torah.
On Shabbos, when we are free from work responsibilities, the working man becomes like the Yoshev Ohel. In Tanya, the Alter Rebbe writes that on Shabbos and Yomtov, when businessmen have the time to be able to daven at length and with Kavanah, they have an even greater obligation to do so. The same applies to learning Torah.
This is not just because during the week they were unable to and on Shabbos they now can. Rather it is because the Torah and the Avodas Hatefillah of the working man - both during the limited hours of the week and certainly on Shabbos - has a far greater quality than that of the Yoshev Ohel.
What is this unique quality?
The working man; who is immersed in the business world for most of the day, whose mind is preoccupied with his business dealings, who comes home exhausted, has to push himself to attend his nightly shiur or chavrusa. The Yoshev Ohel does not face such an inner struggle or effort in his learning.
A story. One year after Rosh Hashona, the Taddik, Reb Yisroel of Ruzhin told his Chassidim that he could tell what they had davened for in their prayers and what was the answer in the Heavenly court.
One Chassid took the opportunity. The Ruzhiner said that the Chossid had davened to become wealthy so that he would be free to sit and learn Torah all day.
The Chossid had indeed davened for this and he awaited with anticipation to hear the response from on High.
His request was denied. The Ruzhiner explained to the Chossid that Hashem receives more pleasure from the hour that he learns each night after a tiring day of work, then if he would be learning Torah all day.
This is why Zevulun was able to impact Yaakov so deeply. Yaakov admired and envied Zevulun’s Torah study and their sacrifice for and devotion to learning.
After a day at the office, when a working man comes to the Beis Medrash for a shiur or chavrusa; When he opens a sefer to learn on Shabbos, Yaakov - the epitome of Torah - has nachas. And Hashem has nachas too.